Pokémon Sun and Moon: new Pokémon and features (Z moves, Alola forms, more)

1 August 20161 August 2016 Lite_Agent Game Freak, Pokémon Sun and Moon, The Pokémon Company

As announced last week, some new details for Pokémon Sun and Moon were revealed today. And this time around, we got a lot of new details: Z moves, Alola Forms, Poké Ride, The Rite of the Island Challenge, Trial Campaigns, Kahunas, and much more!

First, let’s start with the new trailer:

Alola Forms

In Pokémon Sun and Moon, you will meet some Pokémon from previous generations who have adapted to the microclimates of the Alola region. As a result, they’ve taken a new form, and are considered new Pokémon. But it’s not just their appearance which changed: their type and even their way of living can be different!

Alolan Exeggutor

The environment of the Alola region, where strong sunlight pours down all year round, brought about this change in Exeggutor’s form. The people of Alola boast that the Alolan Exeggutor is the true form of Exeggutor.

Unlike other Exeggutor, the Alolan Exeggutor has a fourth head—on its tail! This fourth head controls the tail independently and can take on opponents to the rear that can’t be reached by the main heads’ attacks.

This Pokémon excels at whipping its long neck like a lash to attack with its hard heads. But that neck can sometimes become a weakness…

Alolan Vulpix

It is said that Vulpix came to the Alola region together with humans, but the Fox Pokémon moved to the snowy mountain peaks to avoid the normal habitats of other Pokémon, and thus it ended up taking on this form.

These Alolan Vulpix live on high mountains that remain covered in snow year-round. They live in small packs of two to five individuals, helping one another survive.

Alolan Vulpix can freeze anything solid by expelling breath at a temperature of −58 degrees Fahrenheit (−50° C) from its mouth. It doesn’t fare well in the heat, but when the temperature gets too high, it produces ice from its tail to lower the surrounding temperature.

Alolan Ninetales

Alolan Ninetales live on a snowy peak that is revered in the Alola region as a holy mountain. They are treated as sacred emissaries, and people meet them with awe and fear. This Pokémon’s personality is extremely gentle, and at times it has helped humans who seem to be in distress. However, it shows no mercy at all to anyone or anything that dares to damage its territory!

The Alolan Ninetales is able to produce ice crystals from the fur that covers its body. It can use these ice crystals to block attacks, or it can form balls of ice with them, which it fires like bullets at opponents. The power of these ice missiles is great enough to pulverize rock!

Alolan Sandshrew

Sandshrew have historically lived in desert areas. But the frequent eruptions of nearby volcanoes drove the Sandshrew to abandon the desert and migrate to snowy mountains, where they took on this form.

Sandshrew’s body changed to adapt to the harsh environment of the snowy mountains. The Alolan Sandshrew has a shell of ice covering its skin, which is like hard steel. It excels defensively, but it lacks flexibility and can’t curl its body into a ball like a Ground-type Sandshrew can.

Its heavy weight makes the Alolan Sandshrew slower than a normal Sandshrew, but the claws on its hands and feet allow it to move across ice without slipping. When it wants to move quickly, it uses its stomach to slide across the ice like a curling rock.

Alolan Sandslash

The Alolan Sandshrew of the snowy mountains evolve into Alolan Sandslash with spiny backs that are covered in ice. Thanks to their icy coating, these spines are large and sharp. Alolan Sandslash hide themselves in the snow when strong enemies appear, leaving only their needles exposed and ready for business.

The weight of the ice that covers its body makes these Alolan Sandslash heavier than normal Sandslash, and this causes them to be slower. Yet in snow fields and on ice, they move by creating a path with their claws, and so they’re able to move with swiftness.

The sprays of snow kicked up by Alolan Sandslash’s movements are so beautiful that many photographers head for the snowy peaks to capture the moment. However, Sandslash live deep in the mountains, and there is great danger of becoming stranded, so it’s forbidden to climb the mountains without permission.

Here’s artworks for those Alolan Forms:

New Pokémon

Besides the Alolan Forms, some new Pokémon were revealed:

Fomantis

Fomantis is nocturnal, and it performs photosynthesis while it sleeps during the day by spreading out its leaves in all directions. Because of the danger of staying in the same location two days in a row, Fomantis begins its search for the next day’s spot as soon as the sun sets.

For Fomantis, photosynthesis is not just a source of energy—it is a necessity to achieve the strength and brilliant coloration of its evolved form. Photosynthesis is precious to Fomantis, and it will fiercely attack those who get in the way of that process.

Fomantis excel at long-range attacks like Razor Leaf and Solar Beam. Solar Beam is indeed a powerful move, but since it uses up the energy that the Pokémon has stored through photosynthesis, Fomantis rarely uses it.

Lurantis

Lurantis draws opponents near to itself with its flowerlike appearance and aroma—and then it takes them down. It’s said to be the most gorgeous of all Grass-type Pokémon, due to its brilliant coloration and elegant moves. Lurantis’s appearance is maintained through detailed grooming. It will trust a Trainer who does a good job of caring for it, but it will apparently have a difficult time growing closer to a lazy Trainer.

Lurantis can learn Solar Blade, a move that releases a blade-shaped beam to mince up its foes. The blade is so sharp it is said it can slice a rock in half! Solar Blade is a move that no Pokémon has been able to learn before. With Solar Blade, Lurantis absorbs energy from the sun on the first move and then unleashes a powerful attack on the second turn. Lurantis is the Totem Pokémon of Lush Jungle, the site of an Akala Island trial. It will overwhelm trial-goers with the powerful combos it unleashes with the Pokémon allies it calls.

Gumshoos (evolution of Yungoos)

Gumshoos’s method of targeting prey is the exact opposite of Yungoos’s strategy. While Yungoos prowls around, Gumshoos stakes out its prey’s usual routes and waits patiently for it to come by.

Gumshoos has a tenacious personality, which is why it targets one prey for so long without wavering. But when the sun goes down, it runs low on stamina, falling asleep right on the spot. Gumshoos can withstand a great deal of hunger. It’s able to stay perfectly still while waiting for its prey, keeping watch without eating a thing.

Minior

Minior are formed in the stratosphere and live by absorbing the detritus around them. When they’ve consumed a large quantity of particles, their bodies become heavy, and they fall toward the planet’s surface. Minior has a hard and heavy outer shell with a core inside it. The Meteor Pokémon seems to be made in such a way that if its shell breaks, it becomes lighter and can deal out quick attacks.

When its shell breaks, the core in its center is revealed. You won’t know what color will appear until this happens!

Minior has the new Shields Down Ability, which no other Pokémon has had before. With the Shields Down Ability, it will have excellent defensive capabilities as long as its shell is intact. It will also be protected from status conditions. But when its HP drops below half, its shell will break, and it will change to a form better suited to attacking.

Minior’s core will change color depending on the particular color of the debris it has absorbed. Its pastel coloration has a cute look, so this Pokémon is often used as a design motif for clothing and accessories.

Mudbray (pre-evolution of Mudsdale)

Mudbray could once be found all over the world, but it was overhunted and ended up on the verge of extinction. It’s said that the Alola region is the only place in the world where Mudbray can still be found in the wild.

Mudbray boasts superhuman strength—a surprise, considering its small body. Mudbray can carry loads up to 50 times its own weight on its back or dragging behind it.

Mudbray loves playing in the mud. It’s easy to live in harmony with this Pokémon, as long as you provide an environment where it can play in the mud. If it can’t frolic in the mire, however, Mudbray will become stressed and may stop listening to orders.

Oricorio (Baile Style)

Oricorio changes its form by sipping the nectar of certain flowers. Since it has four different forms—the same as the number of islands in Alola—it would seem that different Oricorio live on each of the islands.

The Baile Style Oricorio is very passionate, and power fills its body when it dances. It sends downy fluff flying during its intense dances. By igniting this fluff, it can unleash a fiery dance attack.

Oricorio has the new Dancer Ability that no other Pokémon has had before. If another Pokémon in the field uses a dancing move, then Oricorio will be able to use the same move immediately afterward, thanks to its Dancer Ability.

Revelation Dance is a move that only Oricorio can learn, and its type changes based on Oricorio’s current style.

Oricorio (Pom-Pom Style)

Oricorio changes its form by sipping the nectar of certain flowers. Since it has four different forms—the same as the number of islands in Alola—it would seem that different Oricorio live on each of the islands.

The Pom-Pom Style Oricorio is very friendly toward people, and it uses dancing to encourage Trainers who are feeling glum. When it dances, its feathers are charged with static electricity. It can attack with these charged feathers, and sometimes it unleashes a powerful electric shock.

Oricorio has the new Dancer Ability that no other Pokémon has had before. If another Pokémon in the field uses a dancing move, then Oricorio will be able to use the same move immediately afterward, thanks to its Dancer Ability.

Revelation Dance is a move that only Oricorio can learn, and its type changes based on Oricorio’s current style.

Oricorio (Pa’u Style)

Oricorio changes its form by sipping the nectar of certain flowers. Since it has four different forms—the same as the number of islands in Alola—it would seem that different Oricorio live on each of the islands.

The Pa’u Style Oricorio acts at its own pace, which sometimes makes it difficult to deal with. It sharpens its spirited moves through dance, which increases its psychic power. It’s said that this dance expresses its gratitude to the guardian deity Pokémon.

Oricorio has the new Dancer Ability that no other Pokémon has had before. If another Pokémon in the field uses a dancing move, then Oricorio will be able to use the same move immediately afterward, thanks to its Dancer Ability.

Revelation Dance is a move that only Oricorio can learn, and its type changes based on Oricorio’s current style.

Oricorio (Sensu Style)

Oricorio changes its form by sipping the nectar of certain flowers. Since it has four different forms—the same as the number of islands in Alola—it would seem that different Oricorio live on each of the islands.

The Sensu Style Oricorio is quiet and collected. By means of its dance, it gathers the spirits drifting about in an area and borrows their power to fight. People who migrated from Kanto feel a great liking for this Pokémon because its dance reminds them of theirhomeland.

Oricorio has the new Dancer Ability that no other Pokémon has had before. If another Pokémon in the field uses a dancing move, then Oricorio will be able to use the same move immediately afterward, thanks to its Dancer Ability.

Revelation Dance is a move that only Oricorio can learn, and its type changes based on Oricorio’s current style.

Here’s some artworks for those new Pokémon:

The Rite of the Island Challenge

Pokémon Sun and Moon takes place in the the Alola region. This region is surrounded by the sea, and many Pokémon live there: some are natives, while others have more recently moved there. In Alola, Pokémon and humans have a really close relationship, and its culture is radically different than that of other regions.

During the game, players will have to take on the Rite of the Island Challenge: an adventurous challenge that will lead you through all four islands of the Alola region. This challenge is an important part of the Alolan culture, and it helps young people grow up into fine Pokémon trainers.

The Rite of the Island Challenge is made of several “components”:

trials: players have to tackle those on all four islands. They are basically missions you have to complete, but it’s not all about battles: you sometime have to bring some items, answer questions, and more;
Totem Pokémon: at the end of each trial, you have to battle against a Totem Pokémon. They are quite bigger than others of the same species, and naturally much stronger too. Their bodies are enveloped in a special aura. During the battle Totem Pokémon can call other Pokémon as allies, which is something that other Pokémon can do too it seems;
Grand Trials: once you’ve completed all trials on an island, you have to tackle the final trial (logically called Grand Trial). Basically, it’s the Pokémon Sun and Moon equivalent of the Gym Battle, where you have to battle the Kahuna. Once you’ve defeated them, you can move on to the next island.

Trial captains

Pokémon Sun and Moon will introduce a new kind of character: the Trial captains. Their mission is simple: guide the trial-goers. They tackled the trials themselves when they were younger.

Here’s the trial captains you will meet during your adventure:

Lana: specialises in Water-type Pokémon. She is dedicated to her family: she’s a reliable older sisters who watches over her younger sisters;
Mallow: specialises in Grass-type Pokémon. She loves cooking, but it looks like she can have particular tastes;
Sophocles: specialises in Electric-type Pokémon. he’s pretty good with mechanics, and is actually the inventors of various machines;
Kiawe: specialises in Fire-type Pokémon. He studies the traditional dances of the Alola region together with his Marowak.

Here’s some artworks for the Trial captains:

Kahunas

Another new type of character introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon are the Kahunas. They’re the leaders of each island, and they’re actually chose by the guardian deities themselves.

At the beginning of the game, when you move to the Alola region, you arrive on Melemele Island. its Kahuna is Hala, and he’s the one who gives you your very first Pokémon. He happens to be Hau’s grandfather (Hau is your rival), and his skills are renowned in the Alola region.

Here’s an artwork for Hala:

Z moves

Pokémon Sun and Moon will introduce a new kind of move called Z Moves. Basically, they’re extremely powerful moves that can only be used once per battle. It’s the results of the Trainer and Pokémon’s wishes resonating with each other, and both releasing their full power together.

The best thing: all Pokémon can use Z moves. But first, you need two items:

the Z-Ring (on the Trainer’s arm)
a Z-Crystal (set into the Z-Ring)

To use a Z move, the Pokémon needs to hold a Z-Crystal of the same variety as the one on the Z-Ring. But there’s also two conditions:

the Pokémon must learn a move of the same type as a Z-Crystal
the Pokémon must be holding the corresponding Z-Crystal

There’s a different crystal, and therefore a Z move, for each type of Pokémon in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Here’s those revealed so far:

Electrik: Gigavolt Havoc
Grass: Bloom Doom
Fire: Inferno Overdrive
Water: Hydro Vortex

Finally, we learn that TOMY will release a Z-Ring toy at the same time as Pokémon Sun and Moon. You put it on your wrist, and when you play, the toy will light up, vibrate, and play sounds.

Here’s some screenshots and artworks for Z moves:

Poké Ride

Finally, we have some details about a new feature in Pokémon Sun and Moon called Poké Ride. They’re special Pokémon you can use to reach places you wouldn’t be able to to reach while on foot. Unfortunately, you can’t add those Pokémon to your team: they’re simply there to help you in specific areas.

Here’s some artworks and screenshots for the Poké Rides: